“Mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week as 10-year Treasury yields continued to climb,” says Freddie Mac Deputy Chief Economist Len Kiefer. “The labor market continues to improve with the U.S. economy adding 223,000 jobs in April, a solid rebound from merely 85,000 job gains in March. Also, the unemployment rate dipped to 5.4 percent in April as the participation rate ticked up to 62.8 percent and jobless claims were far less than expected.”

(BPT) - Moving can lead to new, exciting possibilities, but it also means leaving behind the people and places you love. While some sentimental items can be taken to your new place, many memories just aren't transportable. To ensure your treasured belongings arrive safely to your new home, be prepared with these no-stress tips.

1. Make Room for New Memories

Taking every item of sentimental value with you to your new home is not always possible. Moving is the perfect opportunity to organize and purge items you don't need or won't use in your new residence. To lessen the load on moving day, hold a garage sale or donate unwanted items to a local charity. If you're trying to sell your current home, the less clutter the better.

Once you've determined which objects will make the move, decide where they'll go in your new place. Make the unpacking process simpler by creating a plan for your new space in advance and pack according to where things will go, not by where they've been.

2. Organize, Don't Agonize

Starting the process early can help avoid nerve-wracking, last-minute packing, and give you time to be a bit nostalgic. Before you begin boxing things up, take videos and photos of each room to preserve your memories of that space. Don't forget to include outdoor areas like a backyard tree house or handprints in the patio cement.

Then, make a checklist of everything you need to accomplish before moving - packing, cleaning, cancelling and restarting utilities, registering the kids for school - and set a timeline for completing each step. Once you're ready to start packing, work room by room to make the task seem more manageable. Start with decorative pieces that you can go without for a month or so, keeping items you need daily for last.
3. Protect Delicate Possessions

To ensure your belongings arrive safely, it's essential to pack possessions with extra care. Safeguard breakables with wrapping materials designed to protect fragile goods, such as bubble wrap cushioning, for the best protection.

Next, pack items in clean, sturdy containers in a variety of sizes. Use large boxes for bulky, yet lighter furnishings, such as pillows and blankets, and place heavier objects in smaller boxes to avoid unnecessary strain. Seal boxes securely with a durable packaging tape.

Be sure to label boxes clearly, marking them on the sides of the boxes, not the top. This step makes it obvious what's inside, even if they're stacked. You also can use different colored or printed packaging tapes to color code each room - red for the bedroom, blue for the kitchen.

4. Have Help on Hand

If you’re moving to a location close to your old home, recruit friends and family to help with packing and unloading on moving day. You'll love showing off your new place, and it'll help with the transition to see that loved ones aren't too far away to make the trip.

Put together an "open me first" box with the gear you'll need immediately, such as tools to assemble furniture, cleaning supplies and shelf liner for drawers, closets and kitchen cabinets.

While electricity plays a major role in our daily lives, we often take its power and the conveniences it provides - along with its potential for fire-related hazards - for granted. According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics, electrical fires resulted in $1.48 billion in property damage in a five-year period. To mitigate risks for electrical fire, protect your home and loved ones with these safety tips.

• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.

• Only plug one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) into a receptacle outlet at a time.

• Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are a kind of circuit breaker that shuts off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs. Consider having them installed in your home by a qualified electrician.

• Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard. They should be installed inside the home in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. All outdoor receptacles should be GFCI-protected.

• Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month to make sure they’re working properly.

• Check electrical cords to make sure they’re not running across doorways or under carpets.

• Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords continuously.

• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. A sticker will indicate the maximum wattage light bulb to use.

Though many renter’s insurance policies are affordable, more than half of Americans who rent their homes or apartments do not have coverage, according to a recent InsuranceQuotes.com survey. Just 37 percent of renter respondents have renter’s insurance. Why the indifference?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports the average cost of renter’s insurance is just $187 per year. But the majority of renter respondents say they lack renter’s insurance because it is too expensive – 71 percent believe a policy will cost more than $250 a year, and 22 percent believe a policy will cost $1,000 or more a year.

Other respondents report not needing insurance because their rental home or apartment is secure, their landlord has insurance or they don’t have enough property to insure.

“Landlord’s insurance typically doesn’t cover renters’ belongings,” says Laura Adams, InsuranceQuotes.com. “And even in a highly secure area, theft, fire, water damage and other accidents can still occur and are costly expenses to pay for out-of-pocket. Renter’s insurance is an inexpensive financial safety net that every renter should have.”

When it comes to hurricane season, just one storm can devastate a community, state or entire region. To lower your risk, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) advises protecting the areas of your home most susceptible to hurricane damage: entry points, the roof and the outdoors.

To protect your property from damage caused by high winds and wind-driven rain:

Fortify Windows and Doors – Protect all windows and doors from high winds and flying debris. Failure of a large window or door can result in pressurization inside the home, and potential damage. Attention should be given to all windows, entry doors, sliding glass doors, and garage doors.

Strengthen Your Roof – The roof is a home’s first line of defense against Mother Nature, making it the most important and most vulnerably access point. Roof cover damage occurs in the vast majority of wind-related claims, and a damaged roof can allow wind and rain to enter your home, resulting in even more damage. Consult with a certified roofing professional and your insurance company before making repairs or replacements.

Prepare Your Surroundings – Limit possible sources of wind-borne debris by surveying your building’s surroundings before a storm and trimming overhanging trees and removing anything that could potentially be picked up by high winds. Keep in mind that even seemingly heavy objects can become flying missiles during strong hurricanes.

Healthy eating isn't a priority. Healthy eating controls weight, improves mood, boosts energy, and supports wellness. While we all know healthy food choices are in our best interest, convenience frequently trumps good judgment. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, make healthy eating a priority day in and day out. Eventually, good nutrition will become a habit.

Healthy eating takes more time. We live in a culture where speed is essential and faster is better. Many people eat on the run, sandwiching fast food into their busy lifestyles. But health food takes time to prepare, to chop, to broil, to toss and mix and bake. We have to take time to be healthy, to slow down and arrange time for proper meals and exercise.
People underestimate their food consumption. For a clear picture of food consumption, keep a food diary of what you eat – everything consumed in one week, including portions and number of servings. A cafe latte on the way to the office? Write it down. Fifteen Chili Cheese Fritos? That's three servings, 480 calories. Write it down. The results may astound you.

People overestimate their physical activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, "As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Want to aim even higher? You can achieve more health benefits, including increased weight loss, if you ramp up your exercise to 300 minutes a week."

People confuse living to eat and eating to live. Eating, drinking, and being merry doesn't always lend itself to healthy food choices. Most beers, for instance, average 150 calories, with some craft beers topping 200. We're all human and we're all likely to indulge on occasion. Before you reward yourself with indulgences, balance it out with healthy eating habits.

Cutting costs through improved energy-efficiency continues to be a priority for homeowners. Did you know there is a natural air conditioner that can save help you save big in cooling costs?

A mature shade tree can block up to 90 percent of solar radiation, which translates to a significant reduction in home cooling costs, according to the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). In fact, computer models devised by the U.S. Department of Energy predict proper placement of as few as three shade trees will save an average household $100-$250 in energy costs each year.

The TCIA recommends planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home, where the sun’s rays are most intense. For homeowners in temperate climates, deciduous trees with high, spreading crowns should be planted to the south of the home to provide maximum summertime shading. Those in colder climates should avoid this step so as not to block winter sun. Trees with crowns lower to the ground are more appropriate to the west, where shade is needed from late afternoon sun.

For protection from storm conditions throughout the year, opt for slow-growing trees which tend to live longer and have deeper roots.

Tree shrubs and groundcover plants can also shade the ground and pavement around your home. This reduces heat radiation and cools the air before it reaches the home’s walls and windows. Use a large bush or row of shrubs to shade a patio or driveway. (Note: Shrubs planted close to the house will fill in rapidly, but avoid allowing dense foliage to grow immediately next to a home.) Plant a hedge to shade a sidewalk, or build a trellis for climbing vines to shade a patio area.

No matter what you decide, be sure to consult a certified tree care professional before planting or removing trees and other plantings on your property.

Routine maintenance can save homeowners thousands in potential repairs, especially when it comes to plumbing. There are several steps homeowners can take to check for red flags in their plumbing systems, says Patricia Bonacorda of Spartan Plumbing. She recommends these conducting these six maintenance checks at least once a year.

Lint Trap – It may seem unrelated to the plumbing system, but lint buildup can block the drain of your washing machine if left unattended. Clear your lint trap (typically found on the internal recess of the unit) or hire a plumber to install a wire trap filter to improve drainage.

Supply Hoses – Inspect hoses that connect to appliances, such as your dishwasher, icemaker and washing machine. Look for bulging or other signs of leakage. If you spot a leak, make repairs or replace with a stainless steel hose immediately.

Sinks – Hard water deposits can clog the faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms, reducing energy-efficiency. If you notice mineral buildup, unscrew the screen at the tip of the faucet (the aerator) and soak it in vinegar overnight.

Toilets – Conduct a DIY litmus test by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tanks of toilets in your home. If the water in the bowl changes colors after a half an hour, call a plumber to assess the problem.

Water Heater – Check the thermometer to make sure the temperature is lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Increase the longevity of your unit by draining a few gallons of water from the tank to eliminate corrosion-causing sediment.

Sump Pump – If your home’s basement is protected from flooding by a sump pump, test the unit by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. It should activate automatically and shut off when the job’s done. For an added layer of protection, install a flood alarm.

According to a recent Sherwin-Williams National Home Design Survey, more than four out of five homeowners are seeking to improve their home’s curb appeal this spring – and the majority are planning a painting project to do so.

Painting can be an affordable way to freshen up any home’s exterior. Exterior painting projects range from repainting the front door or adding a fresh coat of paint to a fence to repainting the entire outside of a home.

“A fresh coat of paint and some minimal landscaping updates can make a lasting impression and improve the overall personality and feel of your home,” says John Gidding, an interior designer and landscape architect. “This is especially true for curb appeal, and this time of year is perfect for sprucing up your space.”

Homeowners also report seeking a landscape upgrade to enhance curb appeal. Homeowners say they’d choose to landscape and paint the interior of their home themselves, but are more likely to hire a professional for outdoor painting projects.

(Family Features) From fitting laundry into your schedule to removing tough stains, keeping your wardrobe and linens clean is no easy task. To keep fabrics looking their best, use these tips.

1. Don’t Forget to Prep – Invest in multiple hampers to separate everything by color and fabric. When organizing laundry, close all zippers and untangle pant legs and tablecloths before starting a new wash.

2. Invest in Front Load – Upgrade to a front load washer and dryer for better cleaning and gentler handling of garments. Front loaders use gravity to tumble your clothing, so there's no heavy agitation that can damage or wear down sensitive fabrics.

3. Save on Time – Take back time spent waiting for cycles to be completed with speedy and efficient appliances. They boast maximum efficiency with less water usage per load and unparalleled energy efficiency.

4. Keep It Fresh and Clean – Use decorative baskets to keep supplies like softener, detergent and dryer sheets organized and tidy. This can also help prevent liquids from spilling onto appliances. To keep your washer and dryer free of odors, leave the doors slightly ajar.

5. Take Advantage of Tech – Utilize advanced features from appliances such as special steam settings which work to eliminate stains in the washer and remove wrinkles in the dryer.